Would you pay for this?

[CPHB2021]

I am considering a new venture. I'm forever having friends and family message me asking for advice so thought I would put my passion into a side business. But would people even pay for this service?

Overwhelmed by the minefield of baby items. Travel system? Isofix? 360 spin? One hand fold?
Hello 👋🏽 I’m *, mum of two and self confessed baby item fanatic. I offer an online consulting service to source the best and most appropriate pushchairs, car seats, cots and beyond to suit all budgets and lifestyles. Offering a tailored product list to include the top 3 items from each category from approved retailers, both online and in store. The most local stockist to enable viewing in person and an approved list of all car seats suitable to the make and model of your car/s.

No, I wouldn't pay for it.

I can get all of that advice and information from MN and car seat pages on Facebook for free.

You'd also have to be pretty certain that you are absolutely able to give the most sound and safest advice, if it's a service you're taking payment for.

What is it that makes you qualified in this field to give advice on things that relate to a baby's safety? I hope that doesn't sound confrontational, it's a genuine question on if you have some kind of expertise in this area.

Thank you. Can I ask why you wouldn't trust me on car seats? It would be information provided by the car seat manufacturer but just highlighted to you. Each brand Maxi Cosi / Joie etc have a list of car seats compatible with different cars.

The fact you don't mention the leading Swedish plus-tested, ERF 25kg brands there in passing makes me wonder how aware if these very important things you are.

It's not only knowing what car they fit in, but how much legroom you're left with, ease of installation, if you can advise on if it's correctly fitted in the car, and also provide a safety fit check of baby in the seat etc. That's what I'd expect from a service I was paying for.

There's someone local to me that does this - gives advice on all elements of babycare, from car seats to cots and toy suggestions etc. She seems to do well out of it, she's heavily recommended on local Facebook groups, and she's moved into a storefront where you can go and test out some of the different items.

You'd need to work on communicating why people can trust you, and why you're better than random forum opinions/influencers/etc, but that's more than possible if you know what you're talking about.

@TokenGinger

No, I wouldn't pay for it.

I can get all of that advice and information from MN and car seat pages on Facebook for free.

You'd also have to be pretty certain that you are absolutely able to give the most sound and safest advice, if it's a service you're taking payment for.

What is it that makes you qualified in this field to give advice on things that relate to a baby's safety? I hope that doesn't sound confrontational, it's a genuine question on if you have some kind of expertise in this area.

At the moment, nothing but experience in using a (huge) variety of different prams/seats/general baby paraphernalia from 6 years of being a private nanny. I would undergo training in regards to car seats / baby carriers and safe baby wearing and anything else which required proper safety training if I did go down this route. I do of course have experience and a true passion and interest in this sector. I really, really enjoy all things baby buying so I would love to put that enthusiasm and knowledge into something.

@TokenGinger

Thank you. Can I ask why you wouldn't trust me on car seats? It would be information provided by the car seat manufacturer but just highlighted to you. Each brand Maxi Cosi / Joie etc have a list of car seats compatible with different cars.

The fact you don't mention the leading Swedish plus-tested, ERF 25kg brands there in passing makes me wonder how aware if these very important things you are.

It's not only knowing what car they fit in, but how much legroom you're left with, ease of installation, if you can advise on if it's correctly fitted in the car, and also provide a safety fit check of baby in the seat etc. That's what I'd expect from a service I was paying for.

Sorry for not being more detailed. My son is still RF at 5. I am aware of this but didn't overload my answers but I absolutely agree and if it was an avenue I chose to go down, I would be entirely sure my advice was correct and up to date. I am sure there is some formal training you can take to ensure this.